If you visit the Shelby Township municipal building Friday, you might be overcome by madness.

March Madness.

In a nod toward the NCAA basketball tournament, and Friday night’s appearance of Michigan and Michigan State in Sweet 16 games, township employees will forego their usual attire and deck themselves out in the colors of the state’s two prominent basketball-playing universities.

And maybe the best part: At the same time, they’ll raise money to help Shelby Township’s special athletes.

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To be eligible to participate in the celebration, township employees will donate $3 or more to benefit the township’s Special Recreation program for developmentally disabled residents.

The funds will be used to cover expenses later this year when Shelby Township’s contingent of special athletes travels to compete with others around the state. The fund-raising effort will continue as long as the Spartans and Wolverines remain alive in the tournament.

“While the general fund covers Special Recreation programming, the Special Recreation also handles the local arm of fund raising for local Special Olympics athletes,” said Joe Youngblood, parks and recreation director. “(Donations) cover expenses for those athletes to travel to and compete in the winter and summer games. Without donations and fund-raisers, athletes wouldn’t be able to attend the state games.”

The Michigan Wolverines take on Tennessee in one Midwest Regional semi-final Friday while the Michigan State Spartans travel to New York to face Virginia in the East Regional.

Should one or both prevail, a trip to the Final Four would be at stake Sunday against different opponents. The ultimate dream for hoops fans in these parts is to see the Wolverines and Spartans square off in the NCAA title game April 7.

“We’re in this to the end of the tournament,” said Rick Stathakis, Shelby Township supervisor. “I hope we can raise a lot more (money) until the Spartans and Wolverines face each other in the national championship game.”

Fans of the Detroit Tigers also will join the fund-raising fun. With the Tigers set to open the season at home Monday, the same deal will be extended to township employees who display the Old English D.

“This is a great opportunity for our employees to take part in the celebration of our successful college and professional teams in metropolitan Detroit,” Stathakis said. “But to be able to raise funds for Special Recreation is even greater.”

Shelby Township’s Special Recreation program began in 1995 with 14 members who participated in bowling and softball, Youngblood said.

Today, more than 150 registered members are active in those two sports and several others activities, including basketball, dances, dinner outings, movie trips, winter and summer Special Olympics, fitness classes and arts and crafts.

“It’s hard to put into words how beneficial the Special Recreation program is to the individuals it serves,” said Youngblood. “It offers these athletes a chance to compete and take part in leisure activities. But, more importantly, it gives them a place to socialize and create bonds with their peers.”

The Shelby Township Parks and Recreation Department welcomes private donations in support of the Special Recreation program and its participants. Persons interested in making donations are asked to call the department at 586-731-0300.